Our Staff
Amsha Africa Foundation is an all volunteer organization.
Directors and senior staff volunteer their time and expertise because they believe in the charitable cause of the organization.
Below are the profiles of our dedicated and cherished staff:
Katie Burke
As a family law attorney and creative nonfiction writer, Katie Burke is a dynamic force in San Francisco’s legal and literary communities. After completing her Master of Counseling degree at Arizona State University in 1999, Katie pursued her passion for law at the University of San Francisco School of Law, graduating with her J.D. and passing the California State Bar in 2002.
Since then, Katie has built an impressive career as a family law practitioner in San Francisco, both as an independent practitioner and at various family law firms in the city. She has also served as a court-appointed attorney for minors involved in custody and visitation disputes in the San Francisco Family Law Court.
In addition to her legal work, Katie has devoted her time to her passions for writing and child development, taking her to Africa to work with Kenyan and South African children and teens on writing and sharing their personal stories. Her published works include articles, essays, and letters in a variety of publications, such as The LA Times, Trial Insider, The Journal of Law and Social Challenges, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Fairfield Citizen-News, and The Street Spint. She has also shared her essays on KQED’s “Perspectives” radio program.
Katie is a member of AAF’s board of directors, and her unwavering commitment to both her legal and creative endeavors serves as a powerful example of what it means to be a multifaceted professional. Her passion for helping others, coupled with her extensive legal expertise and literary prowess, make her a true asset to our organization.
Dr. Thomas Fisher Nyatta
Dr. Thomas Fisher Nyatta is an accomplished Agriculture and Natural Resource specialist with over six years of experience in his field. He is passionate about assisting communities in adopting research-based information, educational programs, and technology transfer to improve their economic, social, and cultural well-being.
Apart from his professional work, Dr. Thomas is an active volunteer, providing leadership and entrepreneurship training to prisoners through the Salt and Light organization in the USA and Reaching the Unreached Organization in Tanzania. He also works with limited-resource and minority farmers in the USA, guiding them on how to access the resources available to them.
Dr. Thomas is a member of the board of the AAF, where his expertise is highly valued in making critical decisions that impact the organization’s success.
His dedication to improving the lives of individuals and communities aligns with the AAF’s mission, and he brings innovative ideas and proven strategies to the table.
With a degree in Agriculture and Natural Resources and a commitment to ongoing education, Dr. Thomas is a leader and advocate for change, and his work has earned him a reputation for excellence in his field.
Leonie Williams
Leonie is an accomplished strategic influencer and master storyteller who excels at solving complex problems and forging valuable partnerships. Her ability to thrive in ambiguous situations allows her to expertly craft and execute plans, while helping others to see the bigger picture by developing targeted visions that incorporate technology, business, and user experience. With a diverse background in business and technology management, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, program management, and partnerships, Leonie’s expertise is unrivaled.
Leonie’s impressive educational background includes a double major in Business Finance and Supply Chain Logistics Management from Portland State University, as well as a Masters of Business Administration from George Fox University. In addition, she generously serves on the board of directors for AAF, demonstrating her deep commitment to the organization’s mission and vision.
As the Chief of Staff and expert in strategic operations, Leonie’s contributions have been instrumental in achieving successful outcomes and driving meaningful change. Her passion for empowering young women led her to found Educationseeds.org, an AAF partner that strives to ensure teenage girls have their basic human rights met, reduce dependency and poverty, and provide practical skills to help them provide for themselves and their families. Leonie’s dedication to this noble cause is a testament to her compassionate and selfless nature, and it is an honor to have her as a member of our team.
Janet Woodruff
Janet Shali is an accomplished professional with a diverse range of skills and experiences.
In addition to her role as AAF’s Director at Large for Global South projects, she also serves as a member of the AAF’s board
With over a decade of experience in coordinating and implementing various projects, Janet has demonstrated expertise in project monitoring and evaluation systems, financial management, and database concepts. She has extensive experience in USAID programming, rules, and regulations.
Janet’s entrepreneurial spirit and sense of responsibility are also noteworthy. She established her own travel and tours business, which continues to operate successfully. Her dedication to making a positive impact on society is further evident in her active involvement in several trusts and NGOs throughout Africa.
Janet is a graduate of Kenya Methodist University in Nairobi, Kenya, with a degree in business administration.
Her impressive credentials and wealth of experience make her an invaluable member of the AAF team, bringing innovative ideas and proven strategies to the table for the betterment of Global South projects.
Monique D. Young
As a distinguished member of the board of directors at Amsha Africa Foundation (AAF), Monique brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the table. With her strong commitment to philanthropy, Monique has actively engaged in non-profit and volunteer activities for several years. Her focus has been primarily on providing educational opportunities to underprivileged youth in the field of law.
Apart from her philanthropic work, Ms. Young is a highly experienced attorney with a successful track record of representing property management companies and owners in landlord-tenant and real estate matters. She also possesses extensive experience in commercial litigation, with a particular focus on labor and employment law.
With her multifaceted experience and dedication to serving the community, Monique is an invaluable asset to the Amsha Africa Foundation and its mission to create a better future for the African youth.
Mercy Mbogho
Mercy Mbogho is a seasoned Program Management specialist with a wealth of expertise spanning over 15 years in community development, program management, institutional capacity strengthening, and resource mobilization within the non-profit sector. As the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Chemi Chemi Organization, she has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills in driving strategic initiatives that have transformed the organization’s impact.
Mercy possesses a strong academic background in Finance management and Project Management, complemented by her ongoing pursuit of a Bachelor of Business Administration degree course. She has also completed several certificate courses in community development and resource mobilization, making her a well-rounded professional in her field.
As AAF’s WASH Program Director, Mercy brings her exceptional skills and experience to the organization, overseeing the successful implementation of various programs that aim to enhance the quality of life for individuals and communities. Her dedication and passion for community development continue to inspire her colleagues and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves.
Robert Mwakio
Meet Robert, AAF’s esteemed Project Manager based in Nairobi, Kenya.
As a skilled project management specialist with a results-oriented approach, Robert has an impressive track record of delivering successful projects.
With a passion for sustainable agriculture practices, Robert is a renowned expert in the field. As AAF’s Project Manager in Africa, he leads the organization’s aquaponic education program and meticulously manages detailed project schedules to ensure seamless operations.
Robert’s extensive experience and expertise in sustainable agriculture have made him a valuable asset to AAF.
He has led some of the organization’s most significant and successful agriculture projects and training programs. His contributions to the field extend beyond AAF, as he is a prominent figure in agriculture-related television shows and online content.
Through his dedication and commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture, Robert is playing a vital role in creating a better future for Africa’s youth.
Field & Project Teams
At any given moment, we have numerous team members working in various capacities with the communities we support.
Some of our projects are seasonal, others span multiple months or years with a revolving door of volunteers and staff as needed.
We cherish all our teams working in the field to empower the poor to lift themselves out of poverty.